U.S. patent application number 16/804988 was filed with the patent office on 2021-09-02 for dental tool holder.
The applicant listed for this patent is Nordent Manufacturing. Invention is credited to Tim Irwin, Richard Martin, Tom Stopka.
Application Number | 20210267736 16/804988 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004706226 |
Filed Date | 2021-09-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210267736 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stopka; Tom ; et
al. |
September 2, 2021 |
DENTAL TOOL HOLDER
Abstract
An apparatus and method for a dental tool holder for use with a
cassette assembly for cleaning and preparing dental tools for use.
The dental tool holder includes a body with a set of openings. A
set of slits extend through the exterior of the body to the
openings for the insertion of tools. Opposite of the openings, a
valley can be formed in the body at each slit. Additionally, slots
can be provided between each set of one slit and one opening.
Inventors: |
Stopka; Tom; (St. Charles,
IL) ; Irwin; Tim; (Orland Park, IL) ; Martin;
Richard; (Elk Grove Village, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Nordent Manufacturing |
Elk Grove Village |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004706226 |
Appl. No.: |
16/804988 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 50/33 20160201;
A61C 19/02 20130101; A61C 19/002 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61C 19/02 20060101
A61C019/02; A61C 19/00 20060101 A61C019/00; A61B 50/33 20060101
A61B050/33 |
Claims
1. A tool holder for holding dental instruments, the tool holder
comprising: a body including a front face, a rear face, and a top
surface; at least one opening extending through the body from the
front face to the rear face; at least one slit extending into the
body from the top surface and terminating at the opening.
2. The tool holder of claim 1 further comprising at least one
valley provided in the top surface, wherein the at least one valley
is aligned with the at least one slit.
3. The tool holder of claim 2 further comprising at least one
additional valley, wherein the at least one additional valley is
unaligned with the at least one slit.
4. The tool holder of claim 1 wherein the at least one opening
includes eight openings, and the at least one slit includes eight
slits, with each slit terminating at one complementary opening.
5. The tool holder of claim 1 wherein a first recess is defined in
the front face and a second recess is defined in the rear face.
6. The tool holder of claim 5 wherein a length of the openings,
measured between the front face and the rear face, is defined by
the first recess and the second recess.
7. The tool holder of claim 5 wherein the first recess and the
second recess define a thin portion for the body.
8. The tool holder of claim 1 wherein the at least one openings
includes at least two openings, and further defining a set of
slots, with each slot provided between at least two openings of the
at least two openings.
9. The tool holder of claim 8 wherein the set of slots includes
seven slots.
10. The tool holder of claim 9 wherein the seven slots further
define eight sections for the body, with each section including one
opening.
11. The tool holder of claim 1 wherein the body further includes a
thickened portion, defined adjacent to a bottom surface, opposite
of the top surface.
12. The tool holder of claim 11 wherein the thickened portion
includes a truncated triangular profile.
13. The tool holder of claim 1 further including at least one
enlarged opening, such that the at least one enlarged opening is
larger than that of the at least one opening.
14. The tool holder of claim 13 wherein the at least one enlarged
opening includes an inlet defined by a pair of opposing
extensions.
15. A tool holder assembly for holding dental instruments within a
dental cassette, the tool holder assembly comprising: a first
dental tool holder and a second dental tool holder, each including:
a body with a set of openings, and including a set of slits
complementary to the set of openings, each slit of the set of slits
extending through the body to one opening of the set of
openings.
16. The tool holder assembly of claim 15 wherein the set of
openings includes at least one enlarged opening, larger than the
other openings of the set of openings, with the at least one
enlarged opening including an inlet defined by a set of
extensions.
17. The tool holder assembly of claim 15 wherein the body of each
dental tool holder includes a set of slots provided between each
openings of the set of openings.
18. A method of preparing dental tools for cleaning in a cassette,
the method comprising: inserting a set of tools, through a set of
slits, into a complementary set of openings in a dental tool
holder.
19. The method of claim 18 further comprising securing the second
set of dental tools within the cassette.
20. The method of claim 18 wherein the dental tool holder includes
a pair of spaced bodies, with each body having the set of slits and
the complementary set of openings.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Dental cassettes are used in holding, storing, sterilizing,
sanitizing, using, and cleaning dental tools, among other things.
These cassettes are often metal cases, having a plurality of
openings or holes to permit steam, disinfectant, or cleaning
solution to enter the interior of the cassette to clean and
sanitize the dental tools. Within the cassettes are tool holders,
often made of silicone, rubber, polymers, or other material for
supporting the tools within the cassette in an organized or
arranged manner. However, the capabilities of the cassette, such as
storage or cleaning, are limited by current tool holder design.
Such limitations result in inefficiencies, such as increased
cleaning time or cycles, as well as a limited number of tools being
cleaned or stored within a particular cassette. When the cassette
and tools are utilized, a dentist or other professional are limited
to those tools contained within the cassette, unless the dentist or
professional utilizes multiple cassettes, or takes tools from
another cassette.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In one aspect, the disclosure relates to a tool holder for
holding dental instruments, the tool holder comprising: a body
including a front face, a rear face, and a top surface; at least
one opening extending through the body from the front face to the
rear face; at least one slit extending into the body from the top
surface and terminating at the opening.
[0003] In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a tool holder
assembly for holding dental instruments within a dental cassette,
the tool holder assembly comprising: a first dental tool holder and
a second dental tool holder, each including: a body with a set of
openings, with a set of slits, complementary to the set of
openings, extending through the body to the set of openings.
[0004] In yet another aspect, the disclosure relates to a method of
preparing dental tools for cleaning in a cassette, the method
comprising: inserting a set of tools, through a set of slits, into
a complementary set of openings in a dental tool holder.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] In the drawings:
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cassette in an opened
position, including two utensil holders having a dental tool
positioned on the utensil holders.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a dental utensil holder for
use within a cassette for holding dental tools.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a view of another exemplary dental utensil holder
for carrying different sizes or types of dental tools.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a view of another embodiment of an exemplary
dental utensil holder.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a view of yet another embodiment of a dental
utensil holder, shown as two different versions.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a view of still another dental utensil holder,
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 7 is another view of yet another embodiment of a dental
utensil holder.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] Aspects of the disclosure described herein are directed to a
dental tool holder. The dental tool holder includes a set of
openings with a set of slits extending from the exterior of the
dental tool holder to the set of openings. The dental tool holder
(or pair thereof) secures the dental tools within the holder,
permitting dental tools to be carried in a dental tool holder on
both the top and bottom of a carrying cassette, while traditional
cassettes require an element or component to hold the dental tools
in place, such as the insert 32 of FIG. 1. The additional set of
dental tools increases cleaning capacity, as well as improved
customization for dental tool sets contained within a cassette. In
use, dental tools can be inserted into the openings through the
slits, with the dental tool holder then holding a first set of
tools. Then, an additional second set of tools can be carried in a
separate dental tool holder, such as one secured on the opposing
half of the cassette.
[0014] Aspects of the disclosure described herein are directed to a
holder, a system for holding, and a method for holding dental tools
within a dental cassette. While the disclosure herein is directed
to a cassette for holding dental tools, it should be appreciated
that the cassette need not be limited to the dental industry, but
can have applicability in any suitable industry where cleaning and
sanitizing tools may be desirable, such as the medical industry in
one non-limiting example.
[0015] As used herein, the term "set" when referring to a number of
elements can include any number of elements, while a "set" as used
herein when referring to airfoils includes any number being one or
more. All directional references (e.g., radial, axial, proximal,
distal, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, lateral,
front, back, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal,
clockwise, counterclockwise, upstream, downstream, forward, aft,
etc.) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader's
understanding of the present disclosure, and do not create
limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use
of aspects of the disclosure described herein. Connection
references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and joined) are to
be construed broadly and can include intermediate members between a
collection of elements and relative movement between elements
unless otherwise indicated. As such, connection references do not
necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in
fixed relation to one another. The exemplary drawings are for
purposes of illustration only and the dimensions, positions, order,
and relative sizes reflected in the drawings attached hereto can
vary.
[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, a cassette 10 includes a housing 12
defining an interior 14. The housing 12 can be made of metal, for
example, while any suitable material is contemplated, preferably a
material that is resistant to high temperatures and less
susceptible to supporting bacteria or soil buildup, such as
stainless steel, for example. The cassette 10 is shown in the
opened position, having a top portion 16 and a bottom portion 18.
The top portion 16 and the bottom portion 18 can be separable, such
that the top portion 16 can attach to the bottom portion 18 to
enclose the interior 14 in a closed position, while other
organizations, such as a hinged connection between the two portions
16, 18, is contemplated. A closure, such as a latch, can be used to
secure the housing 12 in the closed position. The top portion 16
can include a set of walls 20, which are adapted to overlap with a
second set of walls 22 of the bottom portion 18, when the cassette
10 is in the closed position.
[0017] The cassette 10 can further include a plurality of openings
30 provided in the housing 12. The openings 30 provide for
permitting a fluid or gas to enter the interior of the cassette 10
while in the closed position, in order to securely contain dental
tools for cleaning, while permitting cleaning agents or liquids to
enter the interior 14. The openings 30 can be provided in the top
portion 16, the bottom portion 18, the walls 20, 22, or any other
suitable portion of the cassette 10. In another example, the
openings 30 can permit for ultrasonic cleaning of tools within the
cassette 10, while other cleaning methods are contemplated, such as
dedicated instrument washing machines, autoclaving, steaming or
steam cleansing, heat ovens, chemical vapors, cold sterilization
for heat sensitive instruments, fluid cleaning or sanitizing
agents, chemistries, or any other suitable method or product.
[0018] The top portion 16 can include a tool securing insert 32.
The tool securing insert 32 provides a downward force from the top
portion 16 when the cassette 10 is in the closed position to hold
any dental tools in place. Without this insert, the tools would
fall out of place if the cassette 10 is not carried flat or may be
improperly cleaned. However, the tool securing insert 32 then
occupies a large portion of the space on the top wall 20, which
negatively impacts capacity of the cassette 10.
[0019] Similarly, the bottom portion 18 includes a pair of tool
holders 34. The tool holders 34 are spaced, such that a dental tool
36 can be lain or supported between them, and then held in place by
the tool securing insert 32 when the housing 12 is in the closed
position. The tool holders 34 includes a top wall 37, which
includes a substantially sinusoidal profile defining a set of peaks
38 and valleys 40 between the peaks 38. The dental tool 36 can rest
within the complementary valleys 40 among the spaced tool holders
34. However, the tool holders 34 are only capable of holding tools
based upon the number of valleys 40, as well as being limited by
the size of the valleys 40 and the cassette 10. Thus, the carrying
capacity or cleaning capacity of the cassette 10 is limited by the
tool holders 34 provided within the cassette 10, as opposed to the
limitations of the cassette itself.
[0020] Referring now to FIG. 2, a dental tool holder 100 includes a
body 102. The body 102 can be made of silicone, for example, while
other rubber or polymeric materials are contemplated. Preferably,
the material used is one that is resistant to high temperatures,
such as those above the boiling point of water to permit steam or
high-temperature washing and sanitizing of dental tools or
instruments, while also being resistant to debris buildup or
bacterial attachment or growth. Additionally, the material can be
somewhat flexible, permitting flexion for inserting or removing
dental tools or instruments, or inserting the dental tool holder
100 into a cassette.
[0021] The body 102 can include a front face 104 and a rear face
106, a top surface 108, and a bottom surface 110, and having
opposing ends 112, 114. The body 102 can include a thickened based
portion or a widened base portion 116, that has a triangular
profile 118 or a truncated triangular profile, while any suitable
profile is contemplated. The truncated triangular profile is
advantageous, because it provides a stable, widened base, which
confronts the bottom of the cassette and is held in place against a
cassette by a set of feet 120. Preferably, the base portion 116 is
one that is sized wide enough to include feet 120. Furthermore, it
should be understood that the body 102 need not be as wide
(measured between the front face 104 and the rear face 106) as
shown, and can be thinner, which provides of better cleaning of
dental tools or instruments carried by the dental tool holder 100,
as well as reduced buildup or debris during cleaning.
[0022] A set of slots 134 can separate the body 102 into eight
similar sections, with the middle six sections 130 being similar,
and two opposite end sections 132 each including a curved
transition between the top surface 108 and the ends 112, 114,
respectively. The slot 134 can extend into the body 102, extending
from the top surface 108 toward the bottom surface 110, terminating
at the widened base portion 116. The slots 134 can separate and at
least partially define the sections 130, 132. While shown as eight
sections, it should be understood that any number of sections are
contemplated, such a four, six, or eight, in non-limiting examples.
The particular cassette, or size thereof, can be determinative of
how large or how many sections 130, 132 can be included with
particular the dental tool holder 100.
[0023] Each sections 130, 132 includes an opening 140, which
connects to the top surface 108 by a slit 142. The slit 142 can be
sized such that a dental tool will not pass through the slit 142
unless a user presses the dental tool to pass through the slit 142
and into the opening 140. It is further contemplated that different
slits 142 can be utilized on a dental tool holder 100, adapted to
different dental tools. It is also contemplated that such
differentiation be identified on the dental tool holder 100, such
as by color coding or indicia in non-limiting examples.
[0024] The top surface 108, adjacent to the slit 142, is curved,
forming a valley 144 in the top surface 108 at each slit 142. The
valley 144 can provide for guiding a tool toward the slit 142 while
being inserted. The slit 142 can be sized such that a dental tool
or instrument does not readily fall through or pass through the
slit 142 into the opening 140, without pushing it into or pulling
it from the opening 140 by a user. In this way, a dental tool or
instrument can be carried within the dental tool holder 100, within
the opening 140 through the slit 142. When carrying dental tools or
instruments in both a top portion and a bottom portion of a
cassette, the carrying capacity of the dental tool holder 100 is
increased, such as being doubled without requiring additional
elements to secure the tools in place. The slots 134 provide room
for flexion of the sections 130, 132, such that the sections 130,
132 can flex at the slits 142 to permit a user to insert a dental
tool or instrument through the slit 142 and into the respective
opening 140. It should be appreciated while the valleys 144 are
shown as aligned with the openings 140, alternate arrangements are
contemplated, such as the valleys 144 being offset from the
openings 140, and the slits 142 extending in a diagonal orientation
to connect the offset valleys 144 to the openings 140. In another
example, it is contemplated that a first set of tools can be
provided in the openings 140, through the slits 142, and can
include a second set of tools provided in the valleys 114, which
can be held in place by a holder, such as the insert 32 of FIG.
1.
[0025] Each section 130, 132 also includes a recess 146 on both the
front face 104 and the rear face 106, defining a reduced width
measured between the front face 104 and the rear face 106. The
recesses 146 provide for reduced material utilized by the dental
tool holder 100, while also minimizing the surface contact between
the dental tool holder 100 and the tool carried by the dental tool
holder 100. The remaining thicker portions of each section, defined
relative to the recesses 146, can provide for the necessary
rigidity for holding any inserted tools, such that any tools do not
touch one another during cleaning or use. Minimizing the surface
contact can provide for improved cleaning, as well as reduced
debris collection during cleaning. It should be understood that the
width is not limited as shown in FIG. 2, but can be wider or
thinner than that shown. Ideally, the width at the recess 146 is
minimized to be as thin as possible without suffering from
excessive degradation or wear from multiple cycles of use. This
maximizes cleaning effectiveness, without requiring early
replacement of the dental tool holders 100.
[0026] It should be appreciated that the dental tool holder 100
described herein provides for carrying more or additional dental
tools or instruments for cleaning, sanitizing, or carrying
instruments, even for use. This increases speed of cleaning
multiple sets of tools, as well as reduces packaging or storage
space required. Such benefits increase savings or reduces costs, as
well as environmental impact during cleaning. Often, prepackaged
sets of dental instruments may have more or less tools that are
desired by the particular dentist or professional, which can be
wasteful or require the dentist to utilize multiple sets of tools
to ensure that the proper or preferred tools are available for use.
Utilizing the dental tool holders 100 within a cassette provides
for selectively arranging and cleaning dental tools for use with a
greater capacity, which permits a dentist or professional to
utilize only the tools they will need for the particular
procedure.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 3, another exemplary dental tool holder
200 is shown. The dental tool holder 200 can be substantially
similar to that of the dental tool holder 100 of FIG. 2, with
numerals being used to identify similar elements, increased by a
value of one hundred, and only the differences between the two will
be discussed. Therefore, while some numerals will appear in the
figure, they will not be specifically addressed herein, unless they
differ from that of FIG. 2. Some numerals have not been included,
for brevity, but should not be considered as limiting or that any
particular embodiment cannot include those items.
[0028] The dental tool holder 200 can include eight sections 230,
232, with two of the sections 250 having an enlarged or widened
opening 252. The widened opening 252 can be sized to fit larger
dental tools, such as electronic or functional dental tools, such
as those that spin, vibrate, or pump liquid, fluid, or water, in
non-limiting examples. Each widened opening 252 is further defined
by a pair of opposing extensions 254 at the inlet of each opening
252. The extensions 254, provide for holding an inserted dental
tool within the widened openings 252 after insertion. The
extensions 254 and related sections 250 can flex into the slots 234
to permit insertion of the tool into the widened opening 252. After
insertion, the section 250 and the extensions 254 can elastically
return to their initial position, securing a tool within the
widened opening 252. Similarly, to remove the tool for use, the
user can pull the tool from the widened opening 252, and the
section 250 and extensions 254 will flex again to permit removal.
While not shown, it is contemplated that the section 250 with the
widened opening 252 can include a recess, similar to that of FIG.
2.
[0029] When installed within a cassette, one or more of the dental
tool holders 200 can be utilized, depending on the particular
dental tool. For example, a dental tool that has a widened based
can be inserted in the widened opening 252 of a first dental tool
holder 200, while a spaced, second dental tool holder 100 can be
similar to that of the one shown in FIG. 2, where the dental tool
with the widened base has a thin head. Alternatively, if such a
tool has a widened base and head, two of the dental tool holders
200 can be utilized within a cassette.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 4, another exemplary dental tool holder
300 is shown. The dental tool holder 300 can be substantially
similar to that of the dental tool holder 100 of FIG. 2, with
numerals being used to identify similar elements, increased by a
value of two hundred, and only the differences between the two will
be discussed. Therefore, while some numerals will appear in the
figure, they will not be specifically addressed herein, unless they
differ from that of FIG. 2. Some numerals have not been included,
for brevity, but should not be considered as limiting or that any
particular embodiment cannot include those items which are
unnumbered.
[0031] The dental tool holder 300 includes a set of openings 340,
each of which are connected to the top surface 308 via a slit 342.
Additionally, each slit 342 can have a valley 344 for holding a
second tool above a first tool held in the openings 340. Similarly,
extra or auxiliary valleys 360 can be included, unaligned with the
other valleys 344 or the slits 342, and spaced from the slits 342.
In this way, the capacity of the dental tool holder 300 is further
increased, and is not limited by the number of openings 340 or
valleys 344. While only a single auxiliary valley 360 is shown, it
should be appreciated that any number of auxiliary valleys 360 can
be included, and need not be arranged in the middle of the dental
tool holder 300, or evenly spaced between openings 340, and can
have any suitable arrangement or organization.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 5, another exemplary dental tool holder
400 is shown. The dental tool holder 400 can be substantially
similar to that of the dental tool holder 300 of FIG. 4, except
that two openings have been replaced with widened openings 452,
without the extensions 254 of FIG. 3. An auxiliary valley 460 is
provided adjacent to one of the widened openings 452, while any
position for the auxiliary valley 460 is contemplated.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 6, two additional exemplary dental tool
holders 500a, 500b are shown. The dental tool holders 500a, 500b
can be substantially similar to that as described in FIG. 3, except
that each dental tool holder 500a, 500b includes four openings, as
opposed to eight as shown previously. It should be appreciated that
the number of openings are not limited as shown in the drawings,
but can include any number, being one or greater. The first dental
tool holder 500a includes four standard openings 540, while the
second dental tool holder 500b includes a widened opening 552, in
addition to three standard openings 540. In this way, it should be
appreciated that the dental tool holders 500a, 500b can be mixed
and matched, or rearranged, to accommodate any set of dental tools,
whether standardized or particular to one dentist or
professional.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 7, yet another exemplary dental tool
holder 600 is shown. This dental tool holder 600 can be
substantially similar to the dental tool holder 100 of FIG. 2,
except that the slots 134 (shown in FIG. 2) have been removed. In
such an example, the material for the dental tool holder 600 can be
less rigid, permitting a user to insert a dental tool into the
openings 640 without requiring significant flexion of the dental
tool holder 600. It is further contemplated that the sizing,
shaping, material composition, or spacing of dental tool holder 600
at the extensions 660, defining a slit 642, can be such that a user
is permitted to push a tool through the slit 642, into an opening
640, with a valley 644 formed at the slit.
[0035] It should be appreciated that removing the slots from the
dental tool holder 600 can provide for improved stability,
rigidity, as well as lifetime, as compared to a dental tool holder
that utilizes slots between tool-holding portions, such as sections
130, 132 of FIG. 2, for example. However, it should be understood
that the tool of FIG. 2 will not necessarily suffer from these
deficiencies due to the use of the slots 134.
[0036] To the extent not already described, the different features
and structures of the various embodiments can be used in
combination, or in substitution with each other as desired. That
one feature is not illustrated in all of the embodiments is not
meant to be construed that it cannot be so illustrated, but is done
for brevity of description. Thus, the various features of the
different embodiments can be mixed and matched as desired to form
new embodiments, whether or not the new embodiments are expressly
described. All combinations or permutations of features described
herein are covered by this disclosure.
[0037] This written description uses examples to describe aspects
of the disclosure described herein, including the best mode, and
also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice aspects of
the disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems
and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of
aspects of the disclosure is defined by the claims, and may include
other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other
examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they
have structural elements that do not differ from the literal
language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural
elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages
of the claims.
* * * * *